The Awakening, and Selected Stories Themes

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Rebirth through Water

Edna has a complicated relationship with the ocean. At first, she is overwhelmed by a sense of dread when she approaches the water, and does not feel safe unless someone is nearby and ready to save her. Many different men, women, and even children attempt to teach Edna to swim, but they are unsuccessful. Only when Edna separates herself from the others does she swim for the first time. On that night, Edna is described as a "little tottering, stumbling, clutching child who all of a sudden realizes its powers and walks for the first time alone, boldly and with over-confidence."

Edna is elated when she is able to swim on her own. She literally shouts for joy and feels daring and reckless in the face of her achievement. Edna feels as "if some power of significant import had been given her to control the working...